Tire pressure warning system

ABSTRACT

Excessively high or low tire pressure is detected automatically with a warning signal generated for the operator. A device is attached to each wheel and includes a spring-loaded piston mounted for reciprocation in a cylinder formed in the device. The cylinder is provided with a porting arrangement which opens only at certain pressure limits. When the ports are opened a sonic or ultrasonic signal is generated and detected by sensors located in proximity to each wheel. The signals detected by the sensors are processed and utilized to actuate a warning signal that provides a visual and/or audio output for the operator. Means are provided for discriminating between background noise and the generated signal as well as to discriminate as to the location of the affected tire. In a modification of the invention, a reserve chamber is integrated into the body of the wheel and is adapted to replenish automatically air lost from the tire.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a division of U.S. application Ser. No. 421,538filed Dec. 4, 1973 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,934,223.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to tire pressure warning systems andmore particularly is directed towards a new and improved system forproviding warning signals to the operator in the event of either high orlow air pressure in a tire. This invention also relates to a system forautomatic replenishment of air lost from a tire while the vehicle is inmotion as a means for minimizing the effects of a blowout.

2. Description of the Prior Art

In U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,489,998, 3,659,264 and 3,738,308 there are disclosedtire pressure alarm systems for motor vehicles wherein a serious changein air pressure is detected by the operator. This is done in the firstpatent by the means of a device fitted to the wheel adapted to generatea sonic signal in the event of an abnormally low pressure. A microphoneis located in proximity to the wheel and, in the event of a signal fromthe device, the operator is alerted by an alarm on the dashboard, forexample. In the second patent, both high and low pressures are detectedby means of a reed that is vibrated by an excessive change in pressure.Again, the sensing device is located in proximity to the wheels and isactivated by sympathetic vibration with the reed on the tire. Finally,the last patent discloses a wheel-mounted device incorporating anair-operated whistle responsive to both high and low pressure withsensors located in proximity to the wheels and with sensors operativelyconnected to an operator signaling system.

The present invention has for one of its objects the improvement insystems of the foregoing type.

A more specific object is to provide a tire pressure warning system thatis quickly and easily installed. Another object of this invention is toprovided a tire pressure warning system capable of discriminatingbetween tires and also a system that is substantially insensitive tospurious noises. A further object of this invention is to provide a tirepressure warning system with a memory capability in the event of asubstantial change of tire pressure occurring while the operator is notin the vehicle. Still another object of this invention is to provide atire pressure warning system incorporated with an automatic pressurereplenishing system functional while the vehicle is in motion or atrest.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention features a tire pressure warning system comprising apressure responsive device mountable on the stem or to the wheel of apneumatic tire and adapted to emit a sonic or ultrasonic signal wheneverthe pressure within the tire exceeds a maximum or minimum range. Eachdevice involves a spring-loaded piston mounted for reciprocation in acylinder formed with ports at axially spaced locations. The movement ofthe piston in response to the change in tire pressure opens and closesthe ports to deliver air to the signal producing portion of the device,typically a discharge aperture configured to produce a sharply tunedwhistle. A sonic or ultrasonic detecting device is located in proximityto each wheel, typically mounted in fixed position within the wheel wellof the chassis. Each pickup is connected through amplifying circuitry toan alarm unit in the vehicle and typically on the dashboard whereby theoperator will be alerted whenever the device is actuated by reason ofhigh or low air pressure in any tire.

In a modification of the invention, an automatic air pressurereplenishing system is provided. In the modification, each wheel isformed with an integral annular chamber adapted to store a quantity ofcompressed air under high pressure. A pressure relief valve connectsbetween the chamber and the pneumatic tire and is adapted to release airfrom the chamber into the tire whenever pressure within the tire dropsbelow a predetermined limit. The modification includes a signalgenerating device which warns the driver of the change in tire pressure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sectional view in side elevation of a tire valve madeaccording to the invention,

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a tire pressure warning system madeaccording to the invention,

FIG. 3 is a detailed sectional view showing a modification of theinvention,

FIG. 4 is a sectional view in side elevation of the modification,

FIG. 5 is a detailed sectional view of a portion of the valving in themodification,

FIG. 6 is a sectional side view of another modification of theinvention, and,

FIG. 7 is a sectional side view of yet another modification of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings and to FIG. 1 in particular, the referencecharacter 10 generally indicates a pressure responsive signalling deviceadapted to be screwed onto a standard valve stem 12 normally fitted to awheel 14 on which a pneumatic tire 16 is mounted. The device 10 iscomprised of a housing 18, typically of cylindrical construction, closedat its upper end by a cap 20 and at its lower end formed with a tappedsocket 22 adapted to threadably engage the stem 12. The cap 20 is heldto the top of the body 18 by means of an annulus 24 engaging cooperatingshoulders 26 and 28 formed respectively on the cap 20 and on the upperend of the body 18.

The cap is formed with a central opening 30 through which extends a post32 carried by a piston 34 mounted for reciprocation within a cylindricalchamber 36 in the body 18. The post 32 is formed with a central passage38 terminating at its upper portion with diverging ports 40 which opento the atmosphere and at its lower portion terminating in a radialpassage 42 communicating with the interior of the cylinder above thepiston 34. The post passes through the opening 30 which is slidablysealed by an O-ring 44 mounted in an annular recess in the cap 20.

The piston 34 is normally urged downwardly by means of a compressed coilspring 46 trapped between the cap 20 and the top of the piston 34. Thespring is selected to have sufficient force to maintain the piston 34 ina balanced position between a pair of axially spaced ports 48 and 50normally located, respectively, above and below the piston 34. Thepiston 34, as shown in FIG. 1, is of a generally cylindricalconfiguration formed with an annular groove 52 in which is seated anO-ring 54 slidably and sealingly engaging the walls of the cylinder.

Accross the lower portion of the cylinder is formed a wall 56 havinginternal axial passages 58. The wall 56 forms into a downwardlyextending neck 60 projecting into the tapped socket 22 and adapted tobear against the movable valve element in the stem 12 in order to openthat valve when the device 10 is screwed into position. The upperportion of the socket 22 is provided with an O-ring 62 for sealing thevalve stem to the device 10. With the device mounted in position, thesame air pressure in the tire 16 will develop in the lower portioncylinder below the piston 34, forcing the piston into the balancedposition. In the event that the pressure in the tire drops by reason ofa leak or otherwise, the spring 46 will force the piston downwardlyagainst the lowered air pressure, thereby moving the piston past thelower port 50, allowing a small amount of air to leak around the pistonto the upper side of the cylinder from which it will flow through theport 42, up through the passage 38 and out of the ports 40.

The passageway 38 and ports 40 are configured to produce either a sonicor ultrasonic signal which will be detected by a sensor 64 mounted inclose proximity to the wheel. Typically, the sensor is mounted in fixedposition within a wheel well so that whenever a signal is generated bythe device it will be picked up by the sensor. Likewise, if the pressurewithin the tire builds up excessively to exceed a predetermined limit,the piston 34 will be forced upwardly against the force of the spring 46until it moves past the upper ports 48. In its upper position, a smallamount of air again will leak around the piston and flow out through thepassage 42, the passageway 38 and the ports 40, again generating a sonicor ultrasonic signal to be picked up by the sensor 64.

The O-rings 44 and 54 preferably are fabricated from a material havinglow friction characteristics. While material such as Teflon or the likeis acceptable, other low friction, elastomeric O-rings are availablewhich provide a good sliding seal having very low frictioncharacteristics. For example, anti-friction treated O-rings havingexcellent characteristics are available from Parker Seal Company ofCulver City, California. Other parts of the device such as the housing,piston and stem may be fabricated from other materials includingstainless steel, or various plastics. For example, glass re-inforcednylon resins such as produced by Du Pont under the trademark "Zytel" issuitable since it is a high strength resin adapted for injection moldingtechniques. "Minlon" also available from Du Pont may be employed toadvantage in the device.

To provide a visual verification of a tire pressure problem, the stem 32may be color-coded at its outer extremity. Preferably, two color bandsmay be applied near the end of the stem so that any movement of the stemas a result of a change of tire pressure will be readily observable bydirect inspection. For example, if the tire pressure is too high, thelower band will appear whereas if the pressure is too low, the upperband will disappear.

While the device 10 is designed for mounting on an existing standardvalve stem 12, obviously it may be easily modified to replace the entirestem and be mounted directly to the wheel as suggested in the embodimentof FIG. 6. In FIG. 6 a generally cylindrical housing 70 is provided withan enlarged base 72 which may be of rubber or the like formed with anannular outer shoulder 74. The base portion of the housing provides asnap-in mounting similar to a conventional tire stem and adapted toengage a wheel rim 76 in the manner shown. The housing 70 is formed witha central cylindrical chamber 78 in which a piston 80 is mounted forreciprocation. The piston carries a tubular stem 82 and is formed with acentral passage 84 terminating in its lower end with radial inletpassages 86 and at its upper end in diverging outlet ports 88. A spring90 is employed to provide a counter-balancing force to the pressure ofair in the tire. The inner walls of the chamber 78 are ported at 92 and94 and function in a manner similar to that of the FIG. 1 embodimentwhereby excess motion of the piston through either an increase ordecrease in air pressure will result in the escape of a small amount ofair from the tire to actuate a sonic or ultrasonic signal at the ports88. The chamber 78 communicates with the interior of the tire through apassage 96 extending through the base at 72.

In order to permit the tire to be filled with air through the device, astandard filler valve 98 is mounted to the outer end of the stem 82 andair pressure will open the valve 98. Pressure applied to the end of thestem 82 will force the piston to its lowermost position allowing air topass down through the passage 84 out through the ports 86 and around thepiston through grooves 100 formed in the lower end of the cylinder inthe chamber 78. The grooves 100 also communicate with radial slots 102at the base of the chamber communicating with the passage 96. It will beunderstood that when the stem 82 is in its lowered position, the ports88 will be closed by the upper portion of the housing 70. Again, theupper end of the stem may be color coded to provide visual verificationof tire pressure.

Referring now to FIG. 7 of the drawings there is illustrated a furthermodification of the invention, and in this embodiment a temperaturecompensating arrangement is provided to minimize the effects of changesin temperature due either to ambient weather conditions or to heatgenerated by rotation of the tire. As shown in FIG. 7 a housing 104 maybe formed with a tapped socket for threading the same to an existingtire stem 106 or may be formed with an enlarged base as in the FIG. 6embodiment to replace the standard stem. The housing 104 is formed withan internal cylindrical cavity 108 closed at its upper end by a cap 110through which extends a stem 112 carried by a piston 114 in a mannersimilar to the previous embodiments. However, in the present instance asleeve 116 is mounted coaxially within the cavity 108 and formed with aninternal cylindrical chamber having spaced ports 118 and 120 at theupper and lower portions of the sleeve providing escape passages for airfrom the tire in the event of high or low tire pressure as in theprincipal embodiment. As before, a spring 122 is provided tocounter-balance normal tire pressure. The stem 112 is, of course, formedwith an internal passage 124 for generating sonic or ultrasonic signalswhenever air is released. The sleeve 116 is fitted within the chamber108 as by an O-ring 124, and at its lower portion mates with an annularor cup-shaped expansion member 126 which, depending upon thetemperature, will cause the sleeve 116 to be axially displaced upward ordownward effectively changing the position of the ports 118 and 120 tocompensate for temperature changes. The member 126 can be selected froma variety of materials having appropriate coefficient of expansioncharacteristics selected to expand and contract at a rate different fromthat of a device as a whole so that a relative movement of the sleevewill be produced. In this fashion, compensation is made for changes intire pressure due to changes in temperature.

The temperature compensating member can be at the base of the chamber asshown, or may be at the top of the chamber and positioned against thecap 110 with the lower end of the sleeve being free to move up or down.Alternatively, a temperature compensating member may be introduced ateither end of the spring 122 in order to provide the correctingcompensation. Other variations will appear to those skilled in the art.

In order to protect the discharge ports on the stem from becomingplugged by an accumulation of dust, dirt, ice, snow, etc., protectivecovers may be provided as suggested in FIG. 7, for example. In the FIG.7 embodiment, semi-cylindrical covers 130 and 132 are provided on theend of the stem 112, the covers being hinged by pins 134 and adapted tocover discharge orifices 136. Light frictional pressure provided betweenthe hinge pins and the covers will be sufficient to keep the covers in aclosed position against the stem, closing the ports 136. However, shouldair be released by actuation of the device as by high or low tirepressure, the air passing out through the orifices 136 will blow thecovers into the open position shown on the right-hand side of FIG. 7allowing the signal generator to produce the sonic ultrasonic signal.The covers obviously may be provided on the other embodiments.

The pickup sensors 64, which are provided to detect actuation of any orall the valve devices, are located in proximity to each wheel.Preferably a sensor is mounted in each wheel well of the vehicle and onealso may be provided in the trunk of the vehicle to monitor the airpressure of the spare tire. All of the sensors are connected to a commonsignal processor 140 which, in turn, provides an output to a display 143which conveniently is panel mounted on the dashboard of the vehicle. Thesensor 64 may be any one of a variety of devices. However, in practice,it has been found that a miniature piezoceramic resonator providesparticularly satisfactory performance. Other suitable devices mayinclude electret based transducers for detecting sonic or ultrasonicsignals generated by actuation of the devices.

The processing circuitry 140 provides amplification of signals receivedfrom the sensors, compares that signal with a reference signal and then,once detected, actuates a memory circuit which, in turn, will actuatethe display. For the sake of simplicity in describing the operation ofthe circuit, it will be assumed that a single sensor is employed tomonitor the various wheels. The output of the sensor 64 is fed throughan amplifier 143 prior to being fed into the processing circuitry 140.The processor 140 is powered in the preferred embodiment by theautomobile's electrical system through a lead 144. The amplified signalis fed into the processor and through an operational amplifier detectorU-1. This is a broad band detector and the bias network for the detectorU-1 includes diodes CR1 and CR2, resitors R1 through R5, and capacitorC1. Resistors R15 and R16 form an attenuator where the signals come outof the amplifier. The signal from the operational amplifier detector U-1is then processed through an RC network comprised of a resistor R6 andcapacitor C2 providing integrating functions to build up smoothly eachhalf cycle of the amplified signal and eliminate noise spikes. Thisintegrated signal is compared with a reference voltage across a variablepotentiometer 145 which sets the threshold for a comparator U2. It willbe understood that the post detection integrator formed by the RCcircuit R6 and C2 must exceed the reference from the potentiometer 145before the comparator U2 will switch. Typically, the comparator U2 willswitch from high to low in non-linear fashion and upon which event itwill couple with a flip-flop circuit including transistors Q1 and Q2.Once the flip-flop circuit is set, a warning light DS2 will beilluminated and a buzzer B1 will be actuated through the driver circuitwhich includes a transistor Q3.

It will be noted that the display panel is connected to a switch 147controlled by the car's ignition switch 149. When the ignition switch isoff, the switch 147 will be opened and the display functions will notoperate. However, insofar as the flip-flop provides memory functions thewarning light, as well as the buzzer, will be actuated when the ignitionkey is turned on and the switch 147 is closed if a tire pressure eventhas occurred during the time when the switch 147 was open. This featurethus will give a warning to the driver if a low pressure or highpressure condition occurs while the car is idle.

The display includes an operating light DS1, which preferably is alight-emitting diode similar to the warning light DS2. The warning lightDS2 preferably is red while the operating light DS1 is green. Thefunction of the operating light is to inform the operator that thesystem is functioning properly. A reset switch S1 is provided to resetthe circuit after actuation. By utilizing both a buzzer and a warninglight, the operator will have both an audio as well as a visual warningwhen an unusual tire pressure condition occurs.

Additional display elements may be added for more complex installations.For example, separate warning lights may be provided for response totire-pressure warning device actuation on different sides of thevehicle. In such a system, the valves on the tire on the left-hand side,for example, may be tuned to generate a signal of a different frequency.Such an arrangement not only provides more useful information for theoperator, but also minimizes the possibility of a false signal beinggenerated between passing vehicles. Thus, if a car moving in onedirection should experience a tire pressure condition and its systemgenerates a signal, it will not actuate the sensing system in a passingvehicle moving in the opposite direction.

The different frequencies from the valve may be obtained by mechanicalconfiguration of the sonic generator. As an alternative measure, thesensors 64 on one side of the vehicle may be tuned to detect only theresonant frequency generated by the tire valve while the sensors on theother side of the vehicle are tuned to pick up only fundamentalfrequencies from the valve. In such a case, all of the valves on bothsides would be matching and generating at least resonant and fundamentalfrequencies when actuated. This same type of discrimination may beemployed on a truck to distinguish between inboard and outboard tiresfor trucks equipped with tires mounted in pairs.

In the illustrated embodiment of the processor circuitry and display,the display is powered only when the vehicle ignition key is on. Theprocessing circuitry, on the other hand, remains active on a standbybasis at all times to acquire and record the sonic warning signal shouldthe pressure condition be reached when the vehicle is at rest and theignition is in an off position.

Referring now to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 of the drawings, there is illustrateda modification of the invention and, in this embodiment, an automaticair replenishment system is provided in combination with a pressuresignal generating device whereby air lost from a tire, whether by a slowleak or a blowout, will be automatically replaced even when the car isin motion. Simultaneously, a signal will be generated to warn the driverof the condition. The system includes a wheel 150 formed with the usualrim 152 in which a pneumatic tire 154 is mounted. The wheel 150 normallyfabricated from steel in the usual manner, however, the wheel alsoincludes a chamber 156 which preferably extends concentrically about theinner portion of the wheel and is of annular shape as best shown in FIG.4. The chamber 156 is formed by inner and outer walls 158 and 160extending in spaced concentric relation and sealed to the wheel to forman airtight pressure chamber adapted to store compressed air of perhaps400 psi for extended periods of time. The compressed air is introducedto the chamber 156 by a standard filling valve 162 mounted through theside wall of the wheel.

Air delivery from the chamber 156 to the tire 154 is controlled by meansof a release valve 164 which, in turn, is controlled by means of apressure-sensing and signal generating valve 166 mounted to the wheel.The valve 166 includes a piston 168 mounted for reciprocation within acylinder 170 and normally urged to the right as viewed in FIG. 3 bymeans of a compressed spring 171. The piston carries a stem 172projecting out through the wheel within a concentric fixed sleeve 174.The stem 172 includes a central passage 176 and at its outer end carriesa standard filling valve 178 whereby the tire may be filled initially tonormal pressure. Air is fed through the valve 178, through the passage176 and into the cylinder 170 at the right hand side of the piston 168.The air then passes through an opening 180 into the tire. The pistonmoves back and forth within the cylinder 170 according to changes intire pressure.

Extending from the right side of the piston 168 is a rod 182 projectinginto the release valve 164 and mounted for reciprocating movement withina cylindrical chamber 184. The chamber 184 communicates with thepressure chamber 156 through a pair of passages 186 and 188, one beinglarger than the other. The smaller passage 188 serves to replenish airto the tire during a slow leak condition whereas in the event of ablowout, both passages 186 and 188 are employed to feed air to the tire.The rod 182 carries three axially spaced O-rings 190, 192 and 194. Undernormal pressure conditions the piston 168 and rod 182 will be in aposition as shown in FIG. 3. However, in the event of a slow leak, tirepressure will drop and the piston and rod will move to the right asviewed in FIG. 3, opening the passage 188 and allowing air to flow fromthe chamber 156 through the passage 188, thence through the chamber 184and out through a port 196 and into the tire 154. At the same time, airwill pass through a passage 198 formed in the rod 182 and out throughthe left hand side of the piston 168, flowing between the stem 172 andthe sleeve 174 out through an orifice 200 which will generate a sonic orultrasonic signal to be picked up by the sensors to warn the driver ofthe low pressure condition. In the event of a sudden drop in pressure,as occasioned by a blowout, the rod 182 will move to a maximum righthand position, opening both ports 186 and 188 threrby allowing a muchgreater flow of air from the chamber 156 to the tire to compensate forthe loss of pressure in the tire. Again, a signal will be produced byair flowing through the passage 198 to actuate a sonic or ultrasonicsignal generator. The system is designed to supply air pressure to thetire in proportion to the rate of loss and sustain a predeterminedpressure such as 23 psi.

Referring now to the FIG. 5 of the drawings, there is illustrated afurther modification of the invention and in this embodiment a simplepiston valve 202 is mounted in a wall 160' corresponding to the wall 160of the FIGS. 3 and 4 embodiment wherein an auxiliary supply ofcompressed air is maintained in a pressure chamber formed within awheel. However, in place of the valve device 164 utilized in the FIG. 3arrangement, the simple valve 202 is employed in the FIG. 5 embodiment.In FIG. 5, the wall 160' is formed with a stepped opening 204 in whichthe piston valve 202 is mounted. The opening 204 on the tire pressureside, which is the right hand side of FIG. 5, is substantially larger indiameter than the opening on the auxialiary tank or the left hand sideof the wall as shown in FIG. 5. Similarly, the piston 202 is formed witha relatively large diameter head 206 on the right hand side and arelatively narrow diameter stem 208 on the high pressure auxiliary tankside. Both the head 206 and the stem 208 are provided with O-rings 210and 212, respectively, to provide a seal between the valve and theopening. The walls of the opening 204 are provided with ports 214 and216 through which compressed air may flow from left to right when thepiston 202 moves to the right whenever the forces on opposite sides ofthe piston become unbalanced.

It will be understood that the large diameter of the head and the smalldiameter of the stem results in the forces on the piston beingeffectively balanced even though pressure on the left hand side of thewall 160' is substantially higher than the pressure on the tire side.However, if there is a drop in pressure on the tire side, the forces onthe floating piston will become unbalanced causing the piston to move tothe right as viewed in FIG. 5. This motion of the piston will open theports 214 and 215 allowing high pressure compressed air to flow into thetire until the forces are again equalized. In the event of a blowout,all of the air in the auxiliary tank will be quickly transferred intothe tire. When using the valve device in FIG. 5, a tire pressure warningdevice of the sort shown in FIG. 1, for example, may be employed inorder to keep the driver advised of the condition.

Obviously, various means may be provided to prevent the valve fromcoming completely out of the opening 204. For example, a screen orannular shoulder can be provided on the tire side of the wall 160' tolimit the movement of the valve.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim and desire to obtainby Letters Patent of the United States is:
 1. An automatic airreplenishment and low pressure warning system for a pneumatic tire,comprisinga. a wheel adapted to support a tire mounted thereto, b. saidwheel being formed with spaced tire supporting front and rear wallsjoined at their inner portions and an annular wall between said frontand rear walls defining an integral annular concentric chamber adaptedto store a quantity of compressed air at a pressure higher than thenormal pressure in said tire,c. normally closed pressure responsivevalve means connecting said chamber to the interior of said tire andadapted to open when the pressure in said tire drops to a predeterminedlevel whereby replenishing pressurized air is delivered into said tire,d. said valve means including a release valve fixed to said annular walland formed with a cylindrical chamber therein, a spring loaded rodmovably mounted in said chamber and adapted to open and close saidchamber according to the pressure in said tire, e. said valve meansformed with a passageway and including an acoustical signal generatingdevice operatively connected to said rod through said passageway andadapted to produce an acoustical warning signal in the event of a lowpressure condition in said tire, and, f. acoustic sensing means disposedremotely from said tire and responsive to an acoustic signal generatedthereby, said sensing means including warning means actuated by saidsensing means upon sensing of an acoustic signal.